networking

Blogging 101: Be a Good Neighbor

by Em Are · Sep 24, 2014

Today’s goal is to work on being more engaging with the community I am writing to. It’s one thing to write to the interweb, It is quite another to interact with the community. One of the most unexpected outcomes of this exercise is being made aware of all the good writing and story telling that is going on out there. Not to say that some of it couldn’t use a little help here and there, but for the most part, people who are taking the time to try and improve the quality of their blogging really do have a knack for the written word. As I have looked at the blogs of others, I am finding truly engaging blogging in the most unexpected subject matters and geographical locations, in a variety of styles.

Over the past week I have looked at many blogs, some brand new and evolving, some established with a following, some that are just coming back to life after a hiatus. I have left a couple of comments here and there, even added my own updates to the Blogging 101 assignment page. Let’s take that one step further an engage. A well thought out comment, an interaction with a stranger via one of their most personal outlets, putting myself out there. Possible rejection. Possible acceptance. Potential rewards.

Okay, so let’s do this.

One of my fav food blogger sites is Minimalist Baker. Your first visit will hook you if you’re into food in any way. The layout, the photos, the way they engage with their community. and better yet, their blog is built using the Genesis framework for WordPress. That is near and dear to my heart as I am concentrating my WordPress development on this framework. It good to be inspired by professionals who care.

I found Grove Hill Coaching today while browsing the Blogging 101 links. Actually I got to that site through another one of Jason’s blogs – CORTADO INGLES. What initially pulled me in was the reference to coffee, and Sunday morning cafes, and espresso. As an admitted coffee freak I am uncontrollably drawn in that direction, so when I saw the link, well, need I say more.

In a totally different direction I came across the Metamorphosis of a Wallflower. Not typically what I am drawn to, but Valentine’s Owner is developing a unique style and anyone who can move forward on a topic of procrastination deserves at least a little listen. Right?

Hmmm. That’s it. Well outside of my comfort zone today. Perhaps this, too, is a new opportunity for me. A way to engage not only with other blogs, but new potential markets for my business. And learn. Always learning. You can teach an old dog…

I am an entrepreneur.

by Em Are · May 20, 2014

After a brisk walk this morning I headed off to the dentist for a 6 month checkup. My preference is always for early morning dental visits – ‘get it over with’ is my motto when it comes to dental experiences. As I was getting settled in the dental hygienist asks me if I had the day off. “No”, I said, “I have a website development company and I’m able to work from home.” Just like that. No second thought. No stumbling through the ‘in transition’ awkwardness that I never did get very good at when faced with the question before. I have a website development company and I work for myself! Wow.

That really felt good. I am an entrepreneur. (Note to self. You have to commit the spelling of that word to memory along with its proper pronunciation. Stop using right-click spell check on it.) This week I’m fully immersed in marketing mode. Writing copy for my website, re-working my LinkedIn profile, making networking connections with new mentors, fleshing out the business plan and pulling together the financials.

Tomorrow evening I’m registered for a course sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University. The class, “How to Start and Operate a Small Business” is part of their first steps program to enable me to get access to their business start-up consulting services. The following night I begin a 4 part workshop on Business Planning. This is sponsored by local SCORE chapter in Chester County, PA. I am energized by the opportunity to learn, to expand my skill set and better prepare myself for a successful venture.

My website is still just a shell, but it is starting to take shape. More copy to be written and added tonight. I’ll link to it soon enough. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

All the best to you.

Be quiet and listen.

by Em Are · May 15, 2014

That about sums it up. I have struggled with a number of things during this transition period. I am a Christian, specifically an Episcopalian, and I’ve struggled with the ‘God has a plan for you’ mindset. I pray. I ask for guidance. I pray for others. I ask for help for them. A networking friend, who has become a good friend, tells me of her challenges to discern what it is that God is telling her to do. She realized that she just wasn’t listening in the right way, at the right time. She has learned to just be quiet and listen.

I heard that same message from someone else last week, in a completely unrelated context.

Be quiet and listen, no, really listen. So that’s what I did.

And what did I hear. A meetup group will help you learn. A friend has some customers that need the service you want to offer. Your wife likes the idea and supports it. Another networking contact has some ideas on how we can work together. The NPR news article that is telling a story about taking the first step. The sign I saw yesterday that tells me that I should not just “stare at the steps” but to actually “take the first step on the stairs”.

I’m listening…and acting. New things are happening.

It’s different this time

by Em Are · May 6, 2014

It’s different this time.

Just after my position was eliminated in August of 2012 I was angry/ in shock/ hurt/ scared, all at the same time. The first few weeks are still a blur as I try to remember how I pulled things together. I do remember going to a networking event at Penn State Great Valley early on. I walked into a large room, and surprise, saw about 75 people who looked just like me: mid 50’s, somewhat paunchy, deer-in-the-headlights eyes, mostly male, walking around holding a fake leather folder containing freshly printed resumes – trying to make small-talk with recruiters and HR representatives that, for the most part, could have been our kids. Trying to explain how my life skills were still relevant and how they could translate into desirable business skills. Technical skills, forget it. Anything more than 5 years ago was so out of favor that it was now considered legacy and being phased out.

The biggest step I took was to go to a local support group – Joseph’s People – in Downingtown. I had heard of it before, many years ago, but had never experienced it for myself. That first Tuesday night was very nerve-racking as I arrived. But it was a support group for unemployed and underemployed persons, of any age, without regard to religious affiliation. These were church-going people – how bad could it get. If fact, it was uplifting. It was supportive. It gave me energy, but more than that, it gave me a safe place to practice talking about myself, a place where I could screw up trying to network and have someone nudge me in the right direction.

So now, unemployed again after only 3 months at this last job, I’m heading back to that safe place. There’s a Joseph’s People meeting in Media, PA tonight. I’ll be there, learning how to do better on phone and Skype interviews (you might be surprised to learn how often you do have to take part in one of these interviews first, before anything else happens), learning how to introduce myself with my personal elevator speech, and accepting the love and support of strangers. Initially strangers, but by the end of the evening, they will be future friends and definitely, LinkedIn connections.

Connect with me on LinkedIn. My network is fairly large, almost 1700 as of this morning, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you connect with the right person. After all, we are all looking for the right connection that will lead us to that one person who can point us to our next job opportunity.

Here’s a one-click connection URL – invite not needed.

All the best.

Moving forward

by Em Are · Aug 30, 2012

It’s a bright Thursday morning. Already have a 3 mile walk completed with my wife. I’ve had Verizon come in and add internet service to our house and remove the service that the company paid. Re-configuring the network in the house is almost complete.

Networking is in full gear. I have reached out to a recruiter friend, Frank, that I used to work with back in the late 90’s. We will get together next week. My friend Roy, who I’ve known for 18+ years (in fact he’s the one who got me the job that moved my family and I up here in the mid 90’s), is a wealth of information. He turned me on to a local employment-challenged networking/support group – Joseph’s People. I hope to make their next meeting. I’ve also connected up with a local career coach offering a free first consultation. I’ve never used a career coach – now sounds like the perfect time. Time will tell.

Still very angry about the way I was dismissed. You think that after almost 9 years on the job there would be some consideration – not just a generic dismissal via a no-eye-contact visit combined with a form letter probably used a half-dozen times before. CEO did say he would write me a letter of recommendation, as did my immediate supervisor. I won’t check either of these things off the list until I actually have the document in my hand.

Position eliminated, sales are down. So you get rid of your entire sales and distribution team? Really? Still hard to package in an acceptable way. All the performance reviews were good. No “sales are way down” talk during department meetings – mostly “rah, rah” type of cheer leading.

Immediate family starting to feel anxious. Eldest son pushed a load of job sites my way in an email last night – I was impressed, and pleased, but worried. He’s still got two years left in college – he needs to focus on the classes to graduate and get a good job – to support his ol’ man 😉

Still very new to this blogging / journaling stuff. My wife thinks that writing helps me deal with the anger. Too early to say yet.

Today’s big task is self-evaluation and skill identification. And more coffee.